CONSERVATIVE MANAGEMENT VERSUS LAPAROSCOPIC CHOLECYSTECTOMY IN ADULTS WITH GALLSTONE DISEASE

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Nusrum Iqbal
Mohamed Ahmed Aref Ahmed
Taher Helmy Aldesouky
Sahar Mughis
Khushboo Chandio
Muhammad Aleem Uddin
Akbar Hussain
Khadeeja Riaz
Ehsan Ullah

Keywords

Gallstone disease, conservative management, laparoscopic cholecystectomy, outcomes, quality of life

Abstract

Background: Worldwide, gallstone disease has a significant impact on healthcare costs. The purpose of this research was to evaluate the effects of laparoscopic cholecystectomy vs conservative therapy in persons with symptomatic gallstone disease.


Methods: Conducted at MD Health Center, Lahore Pakistan, from January 2021 to December 2023, this retrospective cohort study included 108 patients: 54 under conservative management and 54 undergoing laparoscopic cholecystectomy. Data encompassed demographics, clinical presentation, treatments, and outcomes. Primary outcomes focused on complications, symptom resolution, and quality of life, while secondary outcomes included hospital stays, readmission rates, and healthcare costs. Statistical analysis used SPSS version 25.


Results: Laparoscopic cholecystectomy demonstrated significantly lower complication rates (9% vs. 26%, p = 0.015), higher complete symptom resolution (94% vs. 78%, p = 0.025), and superior quality of life improvements (91% vs. 70%, p = 0.006) compared to conservative management. In the laparoscopic group, hospital stays were shorter (2.1 ± 0.6 days vs. 3.8 ± 1.2 days, p < 0.001). Recurrence rates were considerably lower in the laparoscopic group at the one-year follow-up (0% vs. 18%, p < 0.001).


Conclusion: Laparoscopic cholecystectomy emerges as the preferred treatment for symptomatic gallstone disease, offering better clinical outcomes, improved quality of life, and reduced healthcare costs compared to conservative management. These findings advocate for surgical intervention in the management of symptomatic gallstone disease and call for further prospective studies to validate these results and refine treatment guidelines.

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